Brewers’ MVP — Way Too Early Edition

[gregmag]

Inspired by the lack of Brewers on ESPN’s updated list of top 50 players, I ask: What’s your Brewers MVP ballot right now?  Obviously this is premature, but I think it makes for a fun discussion because I expect people will have lots of interesting disagreements at this moment. I can imagine a top five that’s completely different from mine. Here’s mine:

1.  Turang: Does everything pretty well every day. Anchors the defense that’s arguably the team’s foundation.

2.  Collins: The team’s best hitter so far this year, with one asterisked exception that I’ll get to, and it isn’t all that close.  Premium defender at an offense-first position.

3.  Peralta: Despite his hiccups, a premium starter who makes every start and usually ranges from capable to outstanding.

4.  Woodruff: I know, a bunch of other guys have been doing it all year. But none has done it better than Woodruff, and it’s hard to ignore that his explosion on the scene corresponded with the Brewers’ rise from excellent to transcendent.  Speaking of which . . .

5.  Vaughn: I know it’s only a month. I know it isn’t sustainable. But putting him in the middle of the order has unlocked the whole lineup’s best identity. Maybe the Brewers’ most successful in-season position player acquisition ever (though I’m sure someone will remind me of one I forgot that will make me feel stupid).

I recognize that elevating the two small-sample guys leaves out Contreras, Priester, Frelick, Yelich, Uribe, Megill, and Chourio (who would be next on my list in that order). Meaning no disrespect to those massive contributors, I’m at peace with it.

[bjkrautk]

It's hard to single guys out on the team, considering they keep winning no matter who is out of the lineup.  (I would have thought the drop-off from Chourio's injury would be felt, but the record doesn't show it.)

That said:

1) Contreras - I worry about a falloff in the post-season, given the number of games he plays - and plays through a significant injury - but he's one of the best players in the league at a premium position.  

2) Peralta - When the pitching staff had more question marks than answers early on, he was the constant.

3) Collins - Didn't know what he was doing on the team in April and May.  Since then, it's hard to imagine this team being where they are without him.

4) Megill - Even if Devin Williams hadn't imploded in the Big Apple, we replaced an All-Star closer with...an All-Star closer.

5) Frelick - I don't know that the team's maximum-effort mindset comes from how he plays....but I know they didn't have it before Sal established himself.

 

[wiguy94]

As of August 12th at 2:41 PM

1. Collins

2. Peralta

3. Yelich

4. Turang

5. Vaughn

[formerlybis]

Matt Arnold.

But for realsies, I would still vote for Yelich, because he's the least replaceable part of this machine (at least with a single player). I suppose that statement makes somewhat of a case for Contreras, too.

[markedman5]

The thing that has made this team great is that there is no clear cut choice……and they have the best record in baseball by 5 games anyway.

[adambr2]

I’m going to go with the much IGT - maligned William Contreras. Not just because he’s now got a 3.1 WAR, or his 111 OPS+ playing through the injury with calls for his benching. But also because I believe his role and relationship with this pitching staff is invaluable to their success.

It’s hard to pick one, but I think he’s a huge reason we are 30 games over .500.

[adambr2]

And even though I said Contreras, Turang is probably a close second for me. He’s kind of the heartbeat of the infield and probably doesn’t get appreciated as much as he should. He’s arguably the quietest 5 WAR player you’ll ever see. 

It will be interesting when he starts getting deep into his arbitration years and starts getting more pricey, if the team will look to extend him or move him and eventually replace with Made or Perez.

[SeaBass]

3 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

And even though I said Contreras, Turang is probably a close second for me. He’s kind of the heartbeat of the infield and probably doesn’t get appreciated as much as he should. He’s arguably the quietest 5 WAR player you’ll ever see. 

It will be interesting when he starts getting deep into his arbitration years and starts getting more pricey, if the team will look to extend him or move him and eventually replace with Made or Perez.

I'm a pretty big fan of Turang as well. That ESPN top 50 list triggered me a bit when I see Trea Turner on it but no Turang, they're not too far apart from being basically the same guy.

[Dragonbait]

Chris Hook.

[OldHeidelberg]

1. Turang - Leads team in bwar I think and still getting better

2. Yelich - 23 HR's filled the gap left by Adames. 800 OPS. 

3. Priester - Stabilized rotation and 13 or whatever straight

4.  Freddy - His best season, I still think starter wins are cool

5. Contreras - Even in a down year

6. Frelick - Pretty close to Turang really

 

Such a deep team with another half dozen left out here.  

[dlk9s]

Consider how good this team has been when Chourio isn't even mentioned in any of the above lists.

[adambr2]

The Brewers aren’t particularly top heavy, which makes them very well equipped to handle injuries. There isn’t one guy who you lose that throws the machine totally out of whack, unlike other teams that rely heavily on a couple superstars. That makes this Brewer team quite a bit different than their best teams from years past.

I think a good way to answer this question is to ask, whose absence would be most harmful? I can’t say Yelich — since he doesn’t really contribute in the field, we’re only talking about his bat. His ABs if the roster was fully healthy would be mostly absorbed by Hoskins with probably minimal difference.

Can’t really say any of the outfielders because of the depth there. Obviously, you start losing a couple and it hurts, but it’s why we haven’t missed a beat without Chourio.

That’s why I went with Contreras, then Turang. Jansen is adequate, but I don’t know how much effect Contreras missing would have on the pitching staff, and I’d rather not find out.

Come to think of it, by this criteria, Megill should probably get more consideration than he gets. It would potentially hurt a lot to lose him. 

[Bulldogboy]

Frelick is for me. He has been most consistent from day one. Offense and Defense he's been great and the commitment he's shown to bulking up has been key in his development. Love the guy.

[young guns]

Honestly, trying to pick an MVP is like looking at one of those find the one that is different between a bunch of pictures that are the same except they forgot to put in the one that has a difference.

[Brewcrew82]

1. Peralta: His best season and the stabilizing force from the start with our rotation. People like to think of him as maddeningly inconsistent, but he's given us at minimum a chance to win in all but 1 game this year. So, so underrated by the fanbase.

2. Frelick: Took a leap from a batted ball perspective and turned him into an all-star caliber player with his hit tool and defense. The "pecking" starts with him at the top of the lineup, and the offense became the best in baseball pretty much as soon as he took over the leadoff spot. 

3. Yelich: The emotional leader of the team. Not a coincidence the hot stretch started when he took off. 

4. Collins: I keep thinking to how Mitchell went down and we instantly got better. He is the  embodiment of this team's success and the archetype of a Murphy player. 

5. Chourio/Contreras: Chourio literally carried the offense in July with his best month as a big leaguer and was our best player by fWAR (on pace for nearly 5 WAR) when he went down. Contreras has taken over in August since Chourio hit the IL, and has caught the best pitching staff in the league, which Murphy constantly talks about. 

Feel bad about leaving Turang out, which says a lot about how freaking good this team is. Probably should be on it, perhaps even at the top lol

[BrewerFan]

On 8/12/2025 at 1:18 PM, gregmag said:

Inspired by the lack of Brewers on ESPN’s updated list of top 50 players, I ask: What’s your Brewers MVP ballot right now?  Obviously this is premature, but I think it makes for a fun discussion because I expect people will have lots of interesting disagreements at this moment. I can imagine a top five that’s completely different from mine. Here’s mine:

1.  Turang: Does everything pretty well every day. Anchors the defense that’s arguably the team’s foundation.

2.  Collins: The team’s best hitter so far this year, with one asterisked exception that I’ll get to, and it isn’t all that close.  Premium defender at an offense-first position.

3.  Peralta: Despite his hiccups, a premium starter who makes every start and usually ranges from capable to outstanding.

4.  Woodruff: I know, a bunch of other guys have been doing it all year. But none has done it better than Woodruff, and it’s hard to ignore that his explosion on the scene corresponded with the Brewers’ rise from excellent to transcendent.  Speaking of which . . .

5.  Vaughn: I know it’s only a month. I know it isn’t sustainable. But putting him in the middle of the order has unlocked the whole lineup’s best identity. Maybe the Brewers’ most successful in-season position player acquisition ever (though I’m sure someone will remind me of one I forgot that will make me feel stupid).

I recognize that elevating the two small-sample guys leaves out Contreras, Priester, Frelick, Yelich, Uribe, Megill, and Chourio (who would be next on my list in that order). Meaning no disrespect to those massive contributors, I’m at peace with it.

Man, this is... REALLY hard. 

1-Turang
-I've been on the Turang-Train for a LONG time. I've said he reminded me of Trea Turner for a long time... but added the caveat he'd be a better defender and he wouldn't be as good of a hitter. But similar games. Well...maybe I underestimated him. 

Still, for the team impact and the stability he provides, I'll go with a player I've been wrong about. I wanted the Brewers to TRY and trade Yelich not last season, after the prior. But he got a back surgery, they said it was a pretty simple surgery...and he's been in there everyday, a really good and productive player. And while his WAR is lower because he's a DH, when Murph talks about how he impacts those around him, I'll trust him. 
So I'll go with cornerstone player as the #1.

2-Turang here, but Collins is the most pleasant surprise. 
He has to be top 2 in ROY(and I feel better rooting FOR a Brewers player to win it vs against Misiorowski to). 

3-Chourio
Again, hate knocking Collins down, but Chourio brings more... Gravitas to the lineup, he influences the lineup more and what I think he can do better than anyone else is hit the best pitching. 

4-Frelick
Energy, contact, great defense. He plays almost too hard...I'd like him to stop running into the wall in foul territory, but you don't want to take that away from a guy. 

5-Collins
I guess. I can't make a top 5 without him. I want to put Priester here as he changed our lineup(and I HATED that trade) or Woody as he, again, has been a leader, though not someone who's taken the ball every 5th day. 
When he leaves, I'll be happier for him to sign a massive deal than any other Brewers player ever(while irrationally holding out hope...he will remain a Brewer).

 

I do not have a pitcher in the top 5. Playoffs, that'll change, but this is regular season.

I think if you take out... Peralta, we're still leading the division.

Priester.... he may have jumped Peralta just because him coming in was SUCH a stabilizing presence. 
Woody, Megill, Uribe(he's been big. He's matured this year. I knew he could be a great reliever...I think everyone did, but he just had to...calm down).


When you're 10 starters deep and you can't find a spot for Civale, Cortes, Myers, Patrick(who was leading or among leaders for ROY voting)... or Logan Henderson. He started in AAA after 4 starts he was 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA in. 

I just feel like we'd be worse without one, but they haven't been our MVPs this year. 

To make a run in the post-season, we'll need a couple of these guys to be. 

[Team Canada]

A .800 OPS DH doesn't come anywhere near the top for me, but this is pretty cool:

"[Yelich] told me on the bench, straight up, it was 8-1, he said, 'We're going to win this game,’” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “How do you make that statement? He looked at me and said, 'We're going to win this game.'

“And then... it happened.”

It’s true, said left-hander DL Hall, the first of six Milwaukee relievers called into duty after the All-Star rookie Misiorowski returned from the injured list only to be saddled with more earned runs (five) than he recorded outs (four). Hall didn’t fare much better, and he was so frustrated after the Reds blooped and bounced him to death during his portion of Cincinnati’s seven-run second inning that he attempted to rearrange the dugout bench with his fists.

“As soon as I’m in the dugout, Yeli is letting me know, ‘Hey we’re going to win this game. Don’t worry. We’re going to score runs. Just keep them right there.'”

“So that’s the mindset I went out there with,” Hall said “Just keep them right there.”

https://www.mlb.com/brewers/news/christian-yelich-hits-home-run-with-bat-honoring-bob-uecker

He may not be my MVP, but he's unquestionably the leader, and that is valuable in its own right.

 

[sveumrules]

Truly an impossible task for what has been an almost top to bottom team effort posting the best record in MLB through almost 80% of the season now so thought I'd break things down into tiers...

01 to 03 The All Year Vets

Contreras catching dang near every day and the bats been coming around for the last 100 some PA now...Peralta giving the team a chance to win every time he takes the hill...Yelich with a possible 30 HR / 100 RBI / 20 SB season looming for fans of round numbers.

04 to 07 The Youngins & An Old Rookie

Frelick for the offense shifting gears when he went to leadoff...Turang going on a homer binge this month is certainly intriguing...feels criminal leaving Collins just outside the top five with how much he's blown by any reasonable (or unreasonable) expectations...Chourio lurking in the wings for a hopeful September surge.

08 to 10 Two Surprises & An Old Friend

Priester keeping that fifteen appearance win streak alive at the perfect time...Vaughn taking the offense to a whole other level (thanks Civale)...Woodruff showing back up and winning seven in a row like nothing ever happened minus a few MPH.

11 to 13 The Leverage Guys & The Crafty Lefty

Megill for taking over the closer role seamlessly...Uribe for maturing into a more fully realized version...Quintana for defying father time and Fielding Independent Pitching models.

14 to 18 Left Side of the Infield & Rookie Righties

Durbin and Ortiz have combined for 3.0 WAR now by FanGraphs calculations which might not seem like much, but is top end production from the 8th/9th players on a roster. Only the Blue Jays (3.0 WAR) and Tigers (2.9 WAR) have gotten a similar level of production from their 8th/9th players while the Cubs (2.2 WAR), Yankees (2.2 WAR), Red Sox (2.0 WAR), Cardinals (2.0 WAR) and Dodgers (1.9 WAR) are the only other teams to approach two wins from their 8th/9th players.

Debated if I should put Patrick, Henderson, and Misio ahead or behind Caleb/Joey in this tier, but the rookie righties have combined for 677 batters faced versus 806 plate appearances (plus another six hundred some fielding chances) for the left side of the infield. Either way FanGraphs has all rookie pitchers combining for 20.7 rWAR this year, the Brewers trio has accounted for 3.8 rWAR (or 18.4%) of that total.

19 to 24 The Rest of the Relievers

Koenig doesn't quite have the peripherals to match Uribe/Megill but has still been a top fifty reliever by WPA this year...Ashby does have the peripherals to match Uribe/Megill and has been getting more leverage opportunities as the season has gone on with leverage index splits of 0.56 thru July 2nd and 1.18 since...Mears has gotten plenty of leverage work too with his 40 inherited runners third most in MLB...Anderson has contributed 60 IP of 72 ERA- work as ostensibly the 6th or 7th man in the pen...Hall chipped in 37 IP of 81 ERA- and +0.66 WPA before this recent oblique...speaking of obliques its a small sample of only 12 IP but Myers has posted a 53 ERA- | 88 FIP- since coming back from his (to go along with an 83 ERA- | 81 FIP- in 59 IP at AAA).

25 to 28 Bench Players and Some Speculation

Perkins already has a walk off hit and outfield assist in his short time back...Monasterio had a huge homer on the recent burger streak...Hoskins was the only one hitting there for a stretch in May and should be back just in time for some pop off the bench down the stretch...and how about Gasser as a potential weapon for September and the playoffs? Small sample of 15 rehab innings but the 42 ERA- | 67 FIP- he has put up so far is about as good as one could hope for from a performance standpoint and bodes well for him maybe replicating something like the 63 ERA- | 83 FIP- he posted over his first 28 MLB innings last year (following 135 IP of 75 ERA- | 74 FIP- at AAA in 2023).

But if you made it this far & read or even skimmed all of that you know who the real MVP of the 2025 Brewers is and that is Uecker Magic.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

I would go with Vaughn.  He's only played 35 games but adding a 1000 OPS bat in the middle of the order is exactly what this team needed.  He's still averaging 1 RBI a game.  I feel he is a huge reason why we have been on a tear this past month and half and back to first place.

He may not be able to continue this but as of today, if I had to pick just one player, it would be him.